Donkey

Name

Donkey

Scientific Name

Equus africanus asinus

Characteristics

The donkey is related to the horse and zebra, all of which belong to the same family ‘Equus’. Donkeys were supposedly domesticated around 5000 years ago in the north east of Africa. All donkeys are descended from the African Wild Ass, which is now critically endangered.

Wild donkeys have adapted to living in near desert environments and because of this, donkeys have very hardy immune and digestive systems. This allows the donkey to be able to process and gain nutrition from vegetation with very little nutritional value.

The loud call of the donkey can be heard for over three kilometers and enables this animal to communicate with other donkeys over large distances.

Donkeys have large ears, which pick up more distant sounds and may help cool the donkey's blood. They can defend themselves by biting, striking with the front hooves or kicking with the hind legs.

Diet

Donkeys graze on a diet of high fibre plant material.

Size Fact

They can reach up to 160cms in height.

Food Fact

We feed our donkeys hay and grass.

Fun Fact

Donkey’s milk was once valued as a medicine and was given to premature babies, sick children and to people suffering from tuberculosis.